The Skinny: At age 23, some observers think Payne may be hovering near his ceiling.

But as McDonough pointed out, some whippersnappers with "potential" might not reach the level of performance Payne already has achieved.

Capable of stretching the floor and doing reasonable work in the lane, Payne does possess some help-now qualities and could help fill the Channing Frye role if Frye signs elsewhere.

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Elfrid Payton, Junior, Point Guard, Louisiana-Lafayette

Particulars: 6-4, 185

Numbers: 19.3 points, 5.8 assists, 2.8 steals

When: Picks 14 or 18

The Skinny: According to pre-draft gossip, Payton may have sparkled enough in workouts to find himself in the top 10.

He's been invited to the draft-night Green Room, suggesting the Suns would have to move up to get him. Why, with Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe sort of in tow, would the Suns take Payton?

You know, best player available . . . and, with rumor as our guide, there could be an opening.

ANDREJ ISAKOVIC-AFP

Dario Saric, Point Forward, Croatia

Particulars: 6-10, 223

Numbers: 16.7 points, 9.7 rebounds

When: Pick 14

The Skinny: Let's start with Anadolu Efes Istanbul. It's a European team that landed the 20-year-old playmaker with a two-year deal a few days ago.

With postponed availability, Saric is expected to drop from the middle of the lottery (or higher) to a spot somewhere near where the Suns jump into the draft.

With McDonough looking for the best talent whenever it can be selected and suited up, Saric could be a guy.

T.J. Warren, Sophomore, Small Forward, N.C. State

The Particulars: 6-8, 220

The Numbers: 24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 26.7 percent from 3

The Skinny: A stone-cold scorer who does a lot of working from mid-range after moving into position without the ball, Warren doesn't exactly fit the NBA's current analytics-based, floor-stretching mentality. But he can score, and that's a nice trait to have in a job audition.

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James Young, Freshman, Swingman, Kentucky

The Particulars: 6-7, 213

The Numbers: 14.3 points, 40 percent from 3

The Skinny: The 18-year-old lefty had his moments while sharing the spotlight in a Kentucky lineup stacked with several talented kids.

As one of those up-side types, Walker has the capacity to score from range and attack the basket with reasonable skill off the dribble.